More than 400 dead fish removed from Merlynston Creek after Coolaroo factory fire

HUNDREDS of dead fish and millions of litres of contaminated water have been removed from a creek which feeds into the Yarra River in the wake of the Coolaroo factory fire.

MORE than 400 dead fish and about 140 million litres of contaminated water have been removed from Merlynston Creek after July’s Coolaroo factory fire.

The contamination was a result of water run-off from the 11-day fire at SKM Recycling, with more than 40 staff from Melbourne Water working around the clock to clean the creek.

Merlynston Creek runs into vital Melbourne waterways Merri Creek and the Yarra River and through Jack Roper Reserve in Broadmeadows.

At least 400 dead carp were removed from the reserve lake, having been killed by low levels of dissolved oxygen caused by chemicals from firefighting foam.

Melbourne Water workers Vic Joveski and Reece Cumming were responsible for removing dead fish and contaminated water from the lake at Jack Roper Reserve in Broadmeadows. Picture: Ian Currie

A pump was used to increase oxygen levels in the creek in an attempt to save wildlife from harm after abnormally high levels of the bacteria E. coli was found.

The polluted water was transferred into the local sewer network, where it was eventually treated in Werribee.

Firefighters fight the Coolaroo recycling plant fire in July. Picture: David Crosling

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The Environment Protection Authority conducted follow-up testing of the creek and spokesman Terry Sefton said water quality was returning to normal.

“The creek appears to be no longer impacted by site run-off,” Mr Sefton said.

“Sampling in the waterways since the incident is demonstrating that E. coli levels have significantly reduced.”

Hume Council director of corporate services Daryl Whitford praised the work of the response team but warned residents to “still obey warning signs at the creek and not to enter any of the affected waterways or allow their pets to drink or swim in the water”.

Hundreds of fish including carp have died in water polluted by a factory fire. Picture: Michael Probst

Melbourne Water western region regional services manager Emily Phillips said the 24-hour-a-day response not only helped clear the creek but would help with any future emergencies.

“This experience will absolutely help us to be even better prepared to protect our waterways in future pollution events,” Ms Phillips said.

“We would like to thank the Broadmeadows community who were patient and supportive while we were creating additional noise and traffic during the incident.”

The only other animal found dead during the clean up was a cormorant, however it is not certain if its death was a result of the polluted water.